Samsung
Samsung Weekender: One UI 6.1 Galaxy S23 issues, new/upcoming features list, S20 updates plan, Watch FE, April 2024 patch, and Fold 6 Ultra
Welcome to the Weekender, Galaxy Fans! In the April 2024 first-week edition, we will give you the latest insights on Samsung’s plans, products, and updates for this entire week. Right now, Samsung is busy preparing a software update to solve Galaxy S23 issues, expanding the April 2024 update, releasing new features for apps, and working on new features for Expert RAW and Home UP, and more.
Samsung Weekender – First Week of April 2024
Galaxy S23 issue after One UI 6.1 update
Samsung Galaxy S23 users are facing issues with the fingerprint scanner after the One UI 6.1 update. The animation for the fingerprint scanner doesn’t appear during phone unlocking.
Fortunately, Samsung knows this problem and plans to fix it soon with a software update. Additionally, users have also reported touchscreen responsiveness problems, making it difficult to open apps and perform tasks.
April 2024 Expansion
Samsung has released an April 2024 security update to more Galaxy devices including Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy A13, Galaxy A52 4G, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphones.
Galaxy Apps New Features
Samsung consistently updates its apps and has introduced another set of updates this week, featuring notable improvements and new functionalities. You can check the list of apps and their recently added features below
Expert RAW: Lossless RAW format, Neutral Density (ND) Filter
Bixby Vision: Advanced Text Reader
Samsung Find: Lost Mode, Notify when left behind (wearable), Set notification interval
Photo Editor: Magnetic Lasso tool, Improved Spot Color
LockStar: Edit AOD function, Manual AOD Brightness Slider
Wonderland: Fluid Effect, Enhanced UI
Upcoming Expert RAW and Home Up Features
Samsung’s Expert RAW app will soon feature “AstroPortrait Mode,” blending astrophotography with portraits to capture stars and people together. Additionally, Samsung’s One UI will update its Home Up app, offering customizable app icon sizes and improved Finder functionality for better accessibility and personalization.
No more monthly updates for the Galaxy S20 series
Introduced in 2020, the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, including the S20, S20 5G, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra, and S20 Ultra 5G models, initially came with Android 10. These devices have completed their three-year promise to Android updates. Moving forward, they will receive updates quarterly rather than monthly.
The Galaxy Note 20 series and the Galaxy S20 FE were mistakenly moved to a quarterly update schedule separately. However, this was promptly corrected, and they have since returned to a monthly update cycle.
Samsung beats Apple in February 2024
In February 2024, Samsung regained the lead in smartphone sales over Apple, thanks to the well-received Galaxy AI and S24 series introduced in January 2024.
Upcoming Devices
Samsung is anticipated to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 6, featuring a slimmer design and lighter weight compared to its predecessors. The device is expected to use a 7.6-inch main display and a 6.3-inch cover display, both with improved resolution. An Ultra model with distinct features and potential S Pen compatibility is also speculated.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE has also been spotted in the IMEI database, indicating its existence and hinting at a global release, including the US and South Korea. The models listed, SM-R866F, SM-R866U, and SM-R866N, suggest it’s in development and may feature the Exynos W920 chip, similar to the Watch 4.
2 One UI 6.1 features that will extend battery life of Samsung devices after enabling
Samsung has pushed the September 2024 security patch for Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 smartphones, following the One UI 6.1.1 update. The latest update improves system security and stability by fixing over 65 issues.
September 2024 security update for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 smartphones is currently live for both locked and unlocked models in the US. The company will expand this update in more countries soon. Users can check the firmware versions below.
Locked
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 – F946USQS4DXI3
- Galaxy Z Flip 5 – F731USQS4DXI3
Unlocked
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 – F946U1UES4DXI3
- Galaxy Z Flip 5 – F731U1UES4DXI3
Notably, the latest patch fixes 1 critical and 43 high-level security issues for Google. In addition, Samsung fixes 23 security fixes for My Files, Theme Center, One UI Home, Knox, and Dex to make your experience better.
You can also check the update by visiting the Settings app on your smartphone and opening the Software Update section. Now, click on the Download and install option.
Last week, Samsung rolled out One UI 6.1.1 update for Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 smartphones in the US. This update lets you convert your drawings to artwork, improve photo styles, and use text auto-completion on the Samsung Keyboard. It also brought support for real-time translation for calls and text in images, voice-to-text conversion, better PDF management, and dynamic wallpapers
One UI 6.1.1 update hitting Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5 models in the US
Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra users are getting a September 2024 security update in Brazil. This update is already live in Europe, India, Canada, and the US.
The fresh update makes the Galaxy S23 phone more reliable, secure, and stable by fixing a bunch of issues. The company is regularly working to make it available for all models.
September 2024 security update for Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra in Brazil can be verified through One UI build version S911BXXS6CXHA, S916BXXS6CXHA, and S918BXXS6CXHA respectively. 
Users can manually install the update by going to the smartphone’s settings, selecting ‘Software Update’, and then choosing ‘Download and install’. Following these steps will help ensure that your Samsung Galaxy S23 remains secure and up-to-date.
September 2024 Security Patch Details
The latest security patch addresses 1 critical and 43 high levels of CVEs for the Android operating system. However, 1 CVE was resolved by previous updates from the company, and 1 is not relevant to Galaxy devices.
Besides Google patches, Samsung offers 23 SVE items to improve user experience. The latest security patch fixes various issues related to My Files, Theme Center, One UI Home, Knox, Dex, and more. It also enhances the stability and performance of the device.
Samsung started Galaxy S24 FE pre-orders in India. The company is bringing a free storage upgrade as a pre-order benefit. The phone’s set to start shipping on the auspicious day of Navratri, a widely celebrated festival in India.
Free storage upgrade on Galaxy S24 FE means that you can avail 256GB model by paying for the 128GB variant. It’s a direct benefit of INR 6,000 that you can grab by pre-ordering the latest Fan Edition for yourself or your loved one.
The Galaxy S24 FE 256GB costs INR 65999 in India, while you get it for INR 59999. The 256GB variant is pre-selected and you will get the discount on the checkout page. There are more stunning offers available alongside the page to purchase accessories.
You can avail a discount of up to INR 25,000 by exchanging your current device. There’s a Samsung Assured Buyback plan costing IRN 1499 that ensures up to 70% resale value. You can also bundle more Galaxy devices to get an additional 5% discount.
- Pre-order Galaxy S24 FE on Samsung.com
Registering on Samsung Shop for the first time will unlock another cool discount. You will be offered a coupon of INR 2000 towards your Galaxy S24 FE purchase that can be used to purchase accessories through Samsung Shop.